The Angels' Mark Trumbo is tagged out by Houston shortstop Marwin Gonzalez trying to steal second base in the fourth inning. SCOTT HALLERAN, GETTY IMAGES

Hang this one on the Angels' hitters.

The Angels wasted a winnable start by Joe Blanton because their hitters couldn’t do much damage against Houston Astros ace Bud Norris in a 3-1 loss Wednesday night at Minute Maid Park.

The Angels fell to 11-22, equaling the 1969 and 1976 teams for the worst 33-game start in franchise history. They have lost 11 of their last 14 games. They have lost all six of their road series.

Although pitching has been the primary issue for the Angels in this dreadful start, this time they got a performance from Blanton that, on most nights, would have been good enough for a victory.

Blanton gave up three runs in 6 2/3 innings, his third consecutive quality start. He had a blip in the third when he gave up rockets to four consecutive hitters, and he allowed a solo homer to Chris Carter in the fifth, but otherwise he was in control.

Norris, the best pitcher on the worst pitching staff in the majors, dispatched the Angels with amazing efficiency. He needed only 84 pitches to pitch eight innings. The Angels' only run came on Josh Hamilton’s seventh-inning homer, his third of the season and first since April 14.

The Angels loaded the bases with one out in the ninth, but Howie Kendrick hit into a double play.

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